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SHERMAN’S MARCH FROM SAVANNAH TO BENTONVILLE.

BY HENRY W. SLOCUM, MAJOR-GENERAL , U. S. V.

G ENERAL SHERMAN’S army commenced its march from “Atlanta tothe Sea ” on the morning of November 15th, and arrived in front of thedefenses of Savannah on the 10th of December, 1864. No news had beenreceived from the North during this interval except such as could be gleanedfrom Southern papers picked up by the soldiers on the line of our inarch.Our fleet was in Ossabaw Sound with supplies of food and clothing, and animmense mail, containing letters from home for nearly every one in thearmy, from the commanding general down to the private soldier. All thatblocked our communication with the fleet was Fort McAllister on the OgeecheeRiver. This fort was captured by Hazen’s division of the Fifteenth Corpson December 13th, and the 15th brought us our mails and an abundantsupply of food and ammunition, making this one of the happiest days expe-rienced by the men of Sherman’s army. Preparations were at once com-menced for assaulting the Confederate works, and were nearly completedwhen the Confederates evacuated Savannah . Our troops entered the citybefore daybreak on the 21st of December. The fall of Fort McAllister placedGeneral Sherman in communication with General Grant and the authoritiesat Washington. Prior to the capture of Savannah , the plan contemplatedby General Grant involved the removal of the infantry of Sherman’s army toCity Point by sea. On December 6th General Grant wrote to Sherman:

“ My idea now is that you establish, a base on the sea-coast, fortify, and leave all your artilleryand cavalry and enough infantry to protect them, and at the same time so threaten the interior

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VOL. IV. 44